PHILOSOPHY 100: PLATO
Instructor: Sam Rickless
Office: H&SS 8009
Office Telephone: (858) 822-4910
Office Hours: Wednesdays 1pm-2pm in HSS 8009; Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm-2pm in Solis 105 Computer Lab
E-mail: srickless@ucsd.edu
Lecture Hall:
Lecture Time:
This course is devoted to careful examination and evaluation of the main philosophical positions advocated and defended by Socrates and Plato, as they appear in Plato’s dialogues. Topics to be covered include: Socrates’ theory of definition; Socrates’ acceptance, and Plato’s denial, of (i) hedonism [the thesis that the good is pleasure], (ii) the impossibility of weakness-of-will, and (iii) moral intellectualism [the thesis that virtue is a kind of knowledge]; Socrates’ and Plato’s (rather different) defenses of the claim that virtue (justice in particular) is sufficient for happiness; the paradox of inquiry, the doctrine of recollection, and Plato’s arguments for the immortality of the soul; and Plato’s theory of forms, his theory of knowledge, and (if there is time) the emendations to those theories forced upon him by considerations raised in the Parmenides and Theaetetus. Prerequisites: Upper-division status; at least one philosophy course recommended.
Course Website: http://philosophy2.ucsd.edu/~rickless/Phil100-Welcome-2002.htm
Alternatively, find the website by surfing to the UCSD Philosophy Department Webpage, clicking on Courses, and then on Phil 100 (Plato). The syllabus, handouts, and links to websites are all available on the course website.
Cooper, John M., ed. 1997. Plato: Complete Works. Hackett Publishing Company.
This book is available for purchase in the UCSD campus bookstore, and has been placed on course reserve in Geisel Library.
Handouts
Handouts will NOT be handed out during lecture. Before a lecture that requires the use of handouts (see Course Schedule below), you must access the Course Webpage, print a copy of the relevant handout(s), and bring the handout(s) to lecture. For example, you need to bring the two Apology handouts to lecture on September 27.
September 22: Introduction to the study of Plato
September 27: Socratic method described
Reading: Apology
Handout: Apology (Examination of Meletus)
September 29 : Socratic method in action
Reading: Euthyphro (especially 5c-8b and 9e-11b), Charmides 159a-161b
October 4: Socrates’ theory of definition
Reading: Same as September 29
Meno (up to 80d)
Handout: Socrates’ Theory of Definition
October 6: Socrates’ moral intellectualism I
October 11: Socrates’ moral intellectualism II
Reading: Protagoras (351c-360e)
October 13: Socrates’ moral intellectualism III
Reading: Euthydemus 278e-282, Charmides 174a-d, Republic I (especially 334e-335e, 348b-350d, and 352d-354a)
October 18: Problems for moral intellectualism I
Reading: Protagoras
317e-320b and 360e-end
FIRST
PAPER DUE
October 20: Problems for moral intellectualism II
Reading: Gorgias 481b-499b
October 25: The Paradox of Inquiry and the Doctrine of Recollection
Reading: Meno
80d-85d
October 27: The road to separate forms
Reading: Greater
Hippias 287b-289d
November 1: IN-CLASS MID-TERM
November 3: Separate forms and immortality
Reading: Meno
85d-86b, Phaedo 70b-107a
November 8: Plato’s theory of the cardinal virtues
Reading: Republic II-IV (especially 357a-376c, 412b-415d, 427d-445b)
November 10: Plato’s theory of forms
Reading: Republic V-VII (especially 471c-487a, 502c-521b, 532d-535a), Republic X (just 596a-597d)
November 15: Plato’s defense of justice
Reading: Republic VIII-IX (especially Book IX)
November 17: Problems for Plato’s theory of forms
Reading: Parmenides (up to 134e)
November 22: Plato’s answer
Reading: Parmenides
135a-137c and as much as you can manage after 137c, Sophist 248a-257a
SECOND
PAPER DUE
November 29 : Plato’s theory of knowledge
Reading: Meno
96d-100b
December 1: Review of main themes
Tuesday, December 6: FINAL EXAMINATION (11:30am-2:30pm)
First Paper (2-3 pages) 10% due October 18
Mid-Term Examination 25% November1
Second Paper (<2000 words) 25% due November 22
Final Examination 40% December 6
Make-up examinations and paper extensions will only be given to those who present evidence indicative of a valid excuse in a timely manner. [Note that computer or printer failure does not usually constitute a valid excuse, so be sure to take all necessary precautions to safeguard your coursework.] If at any time you believe you have a legitimate claim to an extension or make-up, bring it to my attention as soon as possible (e.g., if you are going to be out of town for a legitimate purpose, such as a university sponsored concert performance, athletic event, conference, or the equivalent). Unexcused late papers and unexcused missed examinations will receive a grade of F.
If accommodations are needed for a disability or for religious reasons, please discuss the matter with me as soon as possible.
The academic honor code must be observed in this course.
The policies stated above are subject to change.